Blog

Kim Huynh started as a tutor, and became so involved that she become Assistant Director at Lore Tuition. She currently manages the Altona Meadows Campus, and tutors Mathematics and English. Just like many Asian families, I was tutored from a very young age. My parents were immigrants and from their cultural perspective, they expected the same sort of perseverance they had in them when they came to Australia in search of a better life. From the age of 6, I was home-tutored and was taught how to read the time and recite my times tables. In grade 3, I started group tuition and over the few years that I was there, I did well compared to other students. In year 9 my tutor invited me back to her centre to work for her as a tutoring assistant. She had me organising and correcting the student's homework. I became more and more involved, going from just organising the worksheets to mentoring the students. I enjoyed it because I was able to share my knowledge with other students, which is why I ended up staying there for 6 years.

During high school, I was also attending tuition classes after school. The classes were structured where the tutor would stand in front of the classroom and dictate the day's lesson. We would then be given time to work on set questions. Looking back, it felt more like a lecture than a tutorial. What I remember most about this tutor was that he had a stand-offish demeanour about him that made us feel dumb and it was difficult to approach him if we were having trouble answering questions. When he went around the class, I remember being worried about answering the questions incorrectly and I would cover my working out as he walked by. I became the quiet student who wouldn't ask questions in fear of being judged and sounding dumb. Going to a tuition centre should never feel this way, which is why I advocate having an open learning space where students feel supported rather than lectured.

Coming to Lore Tuition, I noticed how great the overall atmosphere is. The interaction between the staff and the students is wonderful. There's a real sense of bonding and students can freely ask their tutors any questions without feeling intimidated. The smaller classes at Lore Tuition also means that I am able to focus on the students individually and see which areas they are struggling in. The most rewarding part of teaching at Lore Tuition is seeing the vast improvements in my students' scores. My colleagues also inspire me to become a better tutor and I feel lucky to be surrounded with incredible staff who also have the passion to make a difference in the students' lives.